We answered the most popular questions about the event. If you didn't find the answer here, we'll be glad to help you by e-mail.

Are "Demos" of "Evaluations" Available?

Every customer that registers is by default a "DEMO" user.

You can UPLOAD and Analyze your own CSV Data for FREE!

But, DEMO Accounts have access to ALL SimilarParts.ai functionality and reporting, but are limited to 50-rows and 3-columns of CSV Data.

Once you get comfortable with SimilarParts.ai, you can either purchase clustering credits as you need them, or upgrade for larger blocks of credits at a discounted rate and to obtain more advanced reporting features.

It does not matter if you are using Spreadsheet Software like Excel, Google Sheets, Open Office, or Numbers. ALL of these can export a "CSV" File...and that is all you need to import your data into SimilarParts.ai.

If your data is in a Database (like Microsoft Access, SQL Server, MySQL or Oracle...) you can easily export Table Data to a CSV File.

Every Spreadsheet or a Database maker supports this standard export format.

Typically, it is as easy as a "Save As" and then selecting CSV as the File Format... or an "Export" to CSV.

Row Number Two and beyond contain your items and their corresponding values to the column names.

Each Row within the CSV File (including the Header) should have values separated by commas (","). This is the separator that helps define where values start and stop for each row based on the column defined in the Header Row.

This format is standardly exported by Spreadsheets and Databases, so you should not need to alter the format of the file.

NOTE: SimilarParts.ai DOES support multiple values in a single column - they are often called "Lists" or "Arrays" of values. See the FAQ Question about how to prepare your data to take advantage of this capability.

How do I Import my Data?

After you login, you can either Drag-And-Drop your File into the Upload Tab or just select a File to import.

Imported Data will be automatically validated for content format and basic requirements for the analysis.

Here is the help video for how to do this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJEvQ4Q3ZXw

How do I export my CSV File and Results Data?

CSV Files that you upload can be easily downloaded from the "CSV Files" Tab.

Cluster Results can also be easily downloaded from the "My Results" Tab. There are several results formats that you can download, they are as follows:

The groupIndex files are VERY useful for directly loading your results into eCommerce sites or enterprise services that need to recommend similar or alternative items. The format can be easily used for direct or reverse lookup of items!

How do I match or intersect values within Lists of Arrays of Column Values?

SimilarParts.ai DOES PROVIDE automatic matching and intersection of Lists or Arrays of Column Values within your data.

BUT, you have to help SimilarParts.ai recognize that the values in your Column contain a "List" or "Array of Values". Here is how you do it.

BEFORE you export your CSV File, you need to wrap each value in the column of List or Array values with "Hard-Brackets" (e.g. "[" and "]"). This will tell SimilarParts.ai that the values within your cell are a "List" or "Array" of Values.

List or Array Values only require to be separated by commas (",").

For example, THIS:

Column : Material

Value : 1M29390, 2B2993, 4M2998

Needs to become.. THIS:

Column : Material

Value : [1M29390, 2B2993, 4M2998]

--- OR ---

For example, THIS:

Column : ProtectionLevel

Value : SAE-1020, ASME-10022 +B, SAE-100200 +B

Needs to become.. THIS:

Column : Material

Value : [SAE-1020, ASME-10022 +B, SAE-100200 +B]

--- Handing Values with Commas --- IF you are dealing with List or Array Data that already contains commas (","), then you need to quallify the values with Quotes.

All of your Goals will use the updated file, you just need to re-run your Goals to obtain your new results!

Can I integrate with my eCommerce Platform?

SimilarParts.ai was designed with eCommerce in mind!

One of the biggest problem with eCommerce recommendations, they often NEVER show anything "similar" to what a customer is looking at, and "similar" is a highly debated subject in the industry.

Basically, we view "Similar" as this. --- ANTHING YOU WANT IT TO MEAN!

So if you are looking to recommend things by:

color

size

material

function

purpose

unqiue attributes

price, or

whatever you think - even combinations of the above...

YOU CAN!

Since you only need a CSV File as your input, we also deliver CSV files as exports.

BUT - if your goal is to quickly take your results and import them for eCommerce recommendations, you should export ALL Results then find these files:

groupIndex_Primary.csv

groupIndex_Secondary.csv

These files are an "index" that you can quickly relate products that SHOULD be shown if a customer looks at any specific item that has either Primary or Secondary Matches within your SimilarParts.ai Cluster Results.

These files can be immediately loaded into your eCommerce platform - or a database if you build your own eCommerce and make use of the results immediately!

Is this Secure?

Don't worry - EVERYTHING within SimilarParts.ai is 100% Secure!

Everything from your Login to your Uploads, Data Storage and Downloads are encrypted.

When you Delete your CSV Files and/or any goals or results data in your account - it is GONE!

We do NOT backup your data. So be mindful of this security feature.

What about my IT Department?

SimilarParts.ai is a Cloud-based Service, it ONLY requires a standard Web Browser!

There is NOTHING TO INSTALL, configure or license within your company or on your computer.

You can just register, login and start using it for FREE, and we hope you upgrade after you get comfortable and start obtaining the benefits -- All through your Web Browser!

How is the "cost" of a clustering request calculated?

SimilarParts.ai clustering costs are computed based on the following:

Number of Rows (Your CSV Data)

Number of Columns (Your Goal Definition)

Type of Purchase

Pay-As-You-Go = Higher Cluster Credit Cost

Annual Plan = Lower Cluster Credit Cost + more reporting features

The above model enables you to pay for only what you need, based on the amount of your data and the complexity of the calculation based on your goal definitions.

The price gets cheaper if you purchase an Annual Plan. Additional Plans and Clustering Credits can be purchased at any time.

Do you offer Professional Consulting Services?

YES!

If you or your company needs help analyzing your data, we can help!

The following services are offered:

Data Clensing and Population

Alternative Product Identification

Data Clustering and Analytics

Product Recommendation Building

Identify Products for Consolidation

Identify Products for Elimination

We offer excellent support and results for our customers!

Do you offer Training Services?

YES!

We offer extensive Help Videos after you login to SimilarParts.ai. Just look for the Youtube Icon for context-based Help Videos.

We also offer some nice Demo Datasets for you to copy into your account and then review to gain a better understanding about Goal Definition and Viewing Results.

Do you offer Large / Volume Discounts or have Corporate Accounts?

YES!

If your clustering needs exceed the currently delivered capabilities, we can help. We can setup stand-alone, dedicated, clustering services for your organization.

Also, we are developing a credit sharing model specifically for Corporate Environments. Both of these options are available at an even greater discount with additional levels of service and support.

Where can I get Help?

Each major area, section, tab within SimilarParts.ai has context-specifc help videos available that cover basic functionality and usage within the system.